United Nations Security Council

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Thursday that China endorsed his nation's bid to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council, a move strongly opposed by the United States. The announcement came as Chavez outlined a dozen bilateral trade deals at the close of his state visit to Beijing, including plans to triple oil exports to China by 2010. Chavez said he saw stronger relations with China as a means of creating a "multi-polar" world and lessening the "hegemony" of the United States.

Iran's supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Monday that his country would pursue its nuclear program despite a U.N. Security Council demand to stop enriching uranium by Aug. 31 or face possible sanctions. Iran is to formally reply today to a trade and technology offer from major powers in return for halting uranium enrichment. The deal aims to allay Western fears that Iran wants to build atomic bombs. Tehran says its program is only for electricity.

The Security Council voted Monday to give Iran a month to halt its uranium enrichment program or face potential economic and diplomatic sanctions. The resolution, approved by a 14-1 vote with Qatar dissenting, gives Iran until Aug. 31 to "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development." The resolution is the first by the Security Council that is legally binding on Iran and includes the threat of sanctions for noncompliance.

Unexpected Russian opposition to key wording of a U.S.-backed Security Council draft resolution is straining international unity on efforts to deal with Iran's nuclear defiance, U.N. diplomats said. The apparent change of heart is the latest obstacle in the months-long attempt to pressure Iran's hard-line Islamic government to suspend uranium enrichment. The enrichment process can produce material for nuclear weapons as well as for power plants.

The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Saturday to impose sanctions that target North Korea's missile and nuclear programs in response to its multiple missile tests this month. North Korean Ambassador Pak Gil Yon immediately rejected the resolution and condemned it as a "despicable" attempt to isolate his country. He said the army would continue missile launches, and then walked out of the council chamber, which could foreshadow more tense confrontations with the country.

China and Russia introduced a compromise Security Council resolution Wednesday, urging North Korea to suspend its nuclear program but steering clear of the mandatory sanctions sought by Japan and the United States. Japanese Ambassador Kenzo Oshima said the move was a step in the right direction, but "there are very serious gaps on very important issues."

Japan and the United States agreed Monday to delay voting on a proposed Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on North Korea for its surprise missile tests to give Chinese diplomats visiting the North a chance to work out a solution. But Japan escalated its tough talk against Pyongyang, with top government officials suggesting that the country's pacifist constitution permits Tokyo to launch a first strike at missile bases if it faces an imminent attack.

The U.N. Security Council pressed Syria to respond positively to Lebanon's request to establish diplomatic relations and mark their border. Syria called the resolution illegal pressure. The measure, adopted 13 to 0, is aimed at restoring Lebanon's sovereignty after Syria's pullout. Russia and China abstained, backing Syria's view that the resolution constituted meddling.

Despite Russia and China's objections, the United States, Britain and France introduced a draft Security Council resolution Wednesday that would legally compel Iran to halt its nuclear enrichment activities. The resolution does not call for specific consequences if Iran does not comply, but makes it clear that sanctions would be the next step.

Iran pledged to ignore an expected U.N. Security Council resolution against its nuclear program. U.N. ambassadors from the United States, Britain and France are expected to introduce a resolution this week to legally oblige Iran to comply with the council's demands that it halt all uranium enrichment work. Enrichment at various levels can create fuel for reactors or material for bombs. Iran could face limited sanctions if it fails to comply.